How to choose a new talent niche

Like any viable business, staffing firms are more effective when they have a way to differentiate themselves from their competitors. For these agencies, it often makes the most sense to find a specific talent niche and build up resources to make placements for just engineers, information technology or health fields. When you focus on smaller groups, you become an expert in understanding what makes strong candidates in these fields and where to look for them. But the talent market is in constant flux. How do you know when it’s time to focus on a new talent niche or give up on one?

Examine the local market
Software developers and coders may be in demand around the country, but what really matters is the jobs that exist where your business is located, as Factor Finders pointed out. What industries are the most vibrant in your region? Another way to determine this is to research what companies are hiring for. Where are the open positions? Are there any trends in the positions businesses are looking for?

Do what you know
It’s always easier to deal with professions that are familiar. When considering entering a new niche, think about what you know. Was there a past career you enjoyed? Are there industries you find fascinating or exciting? It’s easier to become an expert in a field you are interested in, as EM Info pointed out.

Find your staffing niche.

Specialize even more instead
While a category like IT may seem small compared to the rest of the job market, it’s actually a huge field that continues to grow. Instead of ditching a formerly successful talent category, honing in even more may be the solution. This is what staffing expert Barb Bruno suggested in response to a question on ERE Media from a recruiter who was thinking about moving on from an engineering niche. The solution may be to specialize more within the broader talent market.

Consider placement fees
In addition to growing industries and desirable talent, you need to consider other financial questions. Some industries are simply more lucrative than others. Take a look at what fees staffing agencies garner for placements in your area of interest. Are they high enough to make entering the new niche worthwhile, or are you better off looking elsewhere?

Think outside the box
There’s more than one talent niche to pursue in staffing. Think not only in terms of skills, but also different groups, such as veterans or even college students. Responsible Outgoing College Students or ROC is a firm Brandon Labman and Tom Moore founded while still in school, Inc. magazine wrote. The firm specializes in connecting recent college graduates with entry-level jobs.

“Think outside the box to uncover new talent niches.”

Predict the future
Of course, it’s impossible to know what professions will be the most sought after in the coming years, but you can make a fairly good guess. Do some research to see what industries are on the cusp of expansion and think about the kind of talent these businesses will need to achieve maximum growth.

Look at your staffing software
Choosing a new niche might be as simple as looking at your staffing metrics. Jobscience staffing software has metrics firms can use to determine what their most lucrative markets are and help businesses decide where to focus their recruiting efforts. Which position offers the greatest revenue per placement? Which position does your firm fill the most quickly? These are all questions the right staffing software can answer.

Because the talent market evolves, staffing firms need to re-evaluate their niches every once in a while to continue to drive revenue. Before making any decisions, research the local labor market and be sure you have the right software tools to back you up.

The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Dream Team

The idea of oursourcing recruitment and hiring might seem counterintuitive at first. In a recent survey of human resources executives, 44% say their biggest challenge with talent recruitment is that they cannot find the right candidates, and nearly the same number say the process is to lengthy. A successful recruitment agency or staffing firm already has best practices and strategies in place for working with the right candidates.

With an expert partner who understands your strategy and priorities, recruitment can be more effective, reducing cost per hire and increasing operational efficiencies.

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Mobile Recruiting 101

Mobile isn’t the way of the future: It’s the way right now. There are now more than mobile devices in the work than people. But more important than the number of devices out there is how people are using these tools. Mobile devices have transformed the way people interact in the digital world, allowing individuals to gain real-time insights that were never before possible and quickly connect with others across the world.

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The Right Technology is More Important than Ever

A successful recruitment agency or staffing firm already has best practices and strategies in place for working with the right candidates. However, as the global workforce evolves, organizations need tools that will allow them to adapt and maximize their efforts.

These shifts can contain challenges, but also opportunities. Professionals working with flexible, user-friendly technology can meet new demands faster than the competition.

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Executive Forum North America 2016

February 22-25, 2016Phoenix, Arizona

Executive Forum North America has been the premier executive staffing event for 25 years. Why? The conference gives leaders from staffing firms of all sizes an annual opportunity to gather and share successes, learn about the latest trends and technology, and get inspired to take their firms to the next level. We hope you can join us for this special silver anniversary celebration of where the industry has been, where it is now and where it is going.

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Recruitment Agency Expo 2016

February 3-4, 2016Olympia London

Now in it’s 5th successful year, the Recruitment Agency Expo is the leading exhibition and conference for senior decision makers working within recruitment agencies nationwide. With 28 free to attend seminars, 14 free training sessions, the Recruitment Agency Expo is set to be the most important event in your 2016 calendar.

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Free Staffing Software Evaluation Kit

We know it can be difficult to discern exactly what your organization needs from a staffing software without having some guidance. That is why we’ve put together a requirements document that uses a fictional staffing firm to address all the requirements you may need. Once you know these musthaves, you can decide on the best software option to make more placements and to achieve business growth goals.

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Brought to you by the American Staffing Association, Staffing World is the largest, most comprehensive convention and expo in the staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. Each year, thousands of industry executives, professionals, leaders, and innovators convene for this must-attend event. Explore the latest products and services your firm needs to sharpen its competitive edge. Shop leading industry suppliers for two-plus days. Test products, compare services, and make deals.

Join us for an afternoon of drinks, food, and networking at San Francisco’s award-winning wine bar and lounge. In addition to free food and wine, we will have a handful of flat screen TV’s streaming Dreamforce Live throughout the Press Club.